Periods

I wrote this last week but am posting it today, because it's still true... 

One of the hardest and least successful things to try to do, is explain or recreate an improv scene to someone who wasn't there when it happened.

However, I'm gonna challenge the odds and do just that.

Seemingly 100 years ago I went to see a friends two man improv set at The Playground theatre in Chicago- their old space-- so small dark and crappy seats for those of you who need a visual. The only thing separating the "stage" from the lobby and flimsy door leading to the street was a curtain. A torn and stained curtain, that I’m pretty sure was taken from someone’s apartment. I got there late and had to stand at the back, which if my memory isn't making things up was a fence covered brick wall. Their set was maybe 15 minutes max. One of the vignettes they did was the scene that I remember easily 10 years later. Both guys were playing women and I don't remember if they were getting ready to go out or had just gotten home but they were summing up their day and my friend's character started crying about what a terrible day she had had. Listing various trivial slights - a run in her stockings, no snacks in the vending machine, lost her favorite lipstick and the culminating offense was "and then I got my period".

The realness and vulnerability that my friend played this turmoil filled women, was so honest that the audience erupted in laughter because they could all relate.

I am having that woman's day today. Nothing major happened - work was frustrating, my dog barked at the mailman, an old man pushed me on the train - but nothing really worth crying over. I'm tired and feeling like NYC is just being a bully and I'd very much like to curl up on the couch with my best friend and eat ranch flavored popcorn lamenting about our periods.